Good portable water purifier for backpacking

[J]

Howdy all.

Wife and I are looking for some good water purification systems that would be a good fit backpacking with less than trust-able water near by. Might be taking a trip to Peru next year and backpacking the Andes mountains including Machu Picchu. Can't trust the water in the faucet, or in the streams, so need good filtration, long life, and compact size. Price is the least important factor.

I've got a big pump driven system for here at the house, but these will also serve as a good backup for BoB when not used backpacking.

So what works well, and what do you recommend?

Thanks,
--J

[Irving]

Sawyer MINI if it meets your filtration requirements. They sell them at Walmart. I've got a couple and they are very compact.

http://sawyer.com/products/sawyer-mini-filter/

[Ah Pook]

http://www.rei.com/search?query=water%20purifiers

SterilPEN has been getting good reviews. Doesn't take care of sediment though.

[asmo]

Sawyer.. all the way.

They are great and I highly recommend them.

[hollohas]

I have been using the MSR Sweetwater for at least a decade. Very easy pumping action (pumps on up and down stroke), very fast filtration rate, cleanable and replaceable filter, included pre-filter screen. Handle folds slightly to make it pack a little better. It's not as small as the sawyer, but I have hundreds and hundreds of miles with it in my pack and it NEVER got in my way. Makes the best tasting water I have ever had. If you want to have the best protection from the smallest viruses (probably a good idea in foreign lands) also get the drops.

http://www.rei.com/product/617913/ms...r-water-filter

[Tinelement]

+1 for the Sweetwater. Love mine. Had it for about 6 yrs and comes on every adventure and carry in my EDC daily.

[Wulf202]

Being the resident water geek.

The problem with uv treatments (steripens and the like) are that it doesn't remove any tastes, mmm cow run off. If you double up with filters it's pretty good protection.

The sawyers are one of the best portable filters out there, and I have or have had most of the options.

If I were to go down there I would use a prefilter, chemical or UV treat then sawyer.

[hollohas]

I like the sawyer too (and have one) but I don't trust it in the backwoods far from home. I use mine in my day bags and car bags but I choose something more substantial when in the boonies.
The filter on the sawyer is small and I suspect it could clog quickly with dirty water. And IMO the plastic bag is the weak point. I'd hate to have the thing accidentally get punctured when you need it most. The sawyer is an absolutly awesome backup but it will never be my main heavy use filtration solution.

[Irving]

The nice thing about the Mini and squeeze is that it is threaded to go onto the plastic water bottles, in case you puncture the bag like above.

[hollohas]

The nice thing about the Mini and squeeze is that it is threaded to go onto the plastic water bottles, in case you puncture the bag like above.

Good point. But then you're forced to carry around dirty water and use it as a filter straw. Not great if you want to fill a pot with water to make some coffee or a pot for dinner. Great for survival, not great for backcountry camping.

And I don't know anyone who carries disposable, flexible plastic water bottles while backpacking. It's hard plastic Nalgene or metal bottles almost exclusivly.